Monday March 7 2016  ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

Today it is necessary that I write a short blog.  (Is that applause I hear?)  Again, my schedule is tight and my time is running out for this afternoon.

One year ago today was the day I left for my trip of my lifetime.  I spent some time this morning reading the first few blogs I wrote last year in February and March.  I was testing my wings with the writing bit.

Oh my goodness!  I was flooded with such memories.  It almost feels like a lifetime ago and yet, it just seems like yesterday.  I wrote infrequently when I first left on the trip because for several weeks I did not have access to WIFI, or even plug-in internet.  On a subsequent trip when I was there in October with my family I finally figured out how to get around that dilemma.  On one occasion I sat on the cement steps outside of the Russellville Arkansas  library early one Saturday morning while Dave, my sister Scarlett, and my aunt waited patiently (or impatiently?) in the car while I connected and published a few blogs.  But I didn’t know I could do that my first time through.  Thank goodness a light bulb finally clicked on in this old brain of mine.  I wasn’t experienced enough last March when I left to realize that, so unfortunately, there are some gaps in what was blogged.  I missed capturing a lot of exciting and interesting things that happened along the way because I wrote only when I had the internet hook up.  By the time I had access to internet, I then had no time to write.

Well, now I know.  Even if I cannot publish on a daily basis, I can still write on a daily basis, so as to capture my memories before they escape.  I can always publish them later.

Comment about yesterday’s blog;  I did not realize how painful it still is for Dave to relive what happened to him so many years ago regarding his job loss.  I offered to not publish it but he said it was okay.  He felt it was as if he still had post-traumatic stress disorder from the event.  There was so much more involved than what I wrote about yesterday.  I just glossed over the easy stuff so I could tell part of our story.  And I really do want to continue it when I have more time.  I asked Dave if that was okay and he was agreeable with that.  We both feel that there may be some valuable lessons that others might learn if we share out story.  As I look back I realize how very important it was for us to have someone who was always there for us through the thick and thin of it.  My confidant was the only one that ever knew just how difficult a time it was for me.  It became so financially tight that there were times we had to decide whether to buy food or accumulate the money for our house payment.  We decided to do what was most important at the moment and trust God to provide what we needed for the next day or next week.  And over and over we discovered that God always provided enough!

To have someone in which to confide was my safety net.  She was the only one I would call and talk to when I thought I couldn’t get any lower.  She offered money but it was too hard for Dave and me to accept it.  If I remember correctly I think that at one time she sent us money.  She was the only one who we ever accepted help from.  We also paid it back.  Just having her concern and support at the other end of the phone was the most important help.  She is my sister Velma, who for so many in our family, has always been there to pick up the pieces.  And she is still doing it today for those who are in unfortunate circumstances.  How can you ever repay love and generosity, such as she has shown throughout her lifetime?  We’ve had our ups and downs through our tenure as sisters, but she is always there when someone is down.  I have tears in my eyes as I write.  Perhaps this blog is therapeutic.  Well, at least it isn’t expensive to keep up.  Thank you Velma.

So…more of that story to follow.

I must leave soon and still have lots to do.

TO TEACH THEM WHAT THEY’RE WORTH

By Kathleen Martens

March 7, 2016

As much as I would like to rest

There is no rest for the weary.

Instead I write a hello blog,

And now my cheeks are teary.

Sometimes a bit melancholy

To see the past unfold.

But I know that these memories

Really must be told.

Life is but a shadow

When it’s lived without voice.

A vapor that dissolves in time

Unless you speak by choice.

And I choose to tell my story

Not for money earned.

Rather to pass on to those I love

All the lessons I’ve learned.

If my words someday will help

One descendent not yet birthed,

How awesome that would be,

To teach them what they’re worth.

To let them know how precious

God considers them to be.

That when they give their heart to God

Someday their Lord they’ll see.

And I too will be waiting

To greet them at heaven’s gate.

So they can meet great-gramma

And in forever I’m willing to wait.

Have a blessed day! 

Job 8:8-11

“Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.  Will they not instruct you and tell you?  Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?”